Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich says Germany not seen as a favorite for World Cup 2026
FC Bayern’s Joshua Kimmich knows Germany aren’t quite favorites for this summer’s World Cup
HERZOGENAURACH, GERMANY - MARCH 24: Joshua Kimmich of Team Germany talks to the media during a press conference at adidas Homeground on March 24, 2026 in Herzogenaurach, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images The FIFA World Cup is now less than three months away from kicking off in the United States, Canada, and Mexico and the March international break is serving as one of the last chances for many managers to see players they might be on the fence about bringing to the tournament. Only a few spots remain to be determined through the European and intercontinental playoffs to fill out the newly expanded field for the group stages.
Right now, Spain, France, Argentina are England are the odds-on favorites to go on and win the whole tournament in the latest betting power ranking ( ESPN ), but Germany will also be looking to get back on the world footballing pedestal that’s evaded them ever since Brazil 2014. With Die Mannschaft’s run in Euro 2024 on home soil, a nation is believing in the team once again under Julian Nagelsmann and a solid World Cup qualifying campaign for this summer has carried that belief into the build to this summer’s main event. In the Germany camp ahead of the friendlies against Switzerland and Ghana, Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich spoke about how this World Cup is going to be different than the last two Germany has been a part of.
He also feels that they’re not quite considered to be favorites to lift the Cup in New Jersey come mid-July, but sees that as a sort of a fresh slate. “Of course as captain, I have a different role to the one I had in 2022 or 2018. It’s true that the past two World Cups were disappointing for us, but that doesn’t change anything for the next one.
We’re probably not one of the top favourites because we didn’t deliver at the last tournament, but when the World Cup kicks off, then what happened in the past is not interesting anymore. It’s only about the next game. It’s important to start with a win in the first game.